Pakistani exhibitors at the recent India International Leather Fair (IILF 2006), held in Chennai, have reported that the event was a success and even plan to expand the number of products they display at future IILF shows.

Hassan Shafi, director of Pakistani leather manufacturer M. Muhammad Shafi & Co., said that a large number of buyers visited the company’s booth and that it achieved a high number of orders for samples for finished leather for garments and gloves. He said, "We are quite happy with the turnout and next time will also participate with more varieties and colours."

Pakistani exhibitors that leatherbiz.com spoke to—Shafi Group, Noor Leather and Khas Pvt Ltd, Khalid Enterprises and Permair Leather Pakistan—reported positive results from the show and were optimistic that the contacts made could lead to large volumes of business in the future.

Mr Yaqoob Ali, manager sales & marketing, of Muhammad Shafi, also stated that there is a great deal of potential for Pakistan leather manufacturers and Indian leather products manufacturers to work together.

As the manufacture of leather products shifts to India, Brazil and China there is potential for cooperation as Pakistan could source leather chemicals from India and in turn could offer niche varieties of leather to Indian manufacturers, stating that Pakistan could offer larger sized goatskins and other hand-worked leathers that are not available in India.

Meanwhile, Bangladeshi exhibitors also received a good number of enquires and spot orders worth $1 million at the fair. Mr. Anup K Saha of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), told leatherbiz.com that five leading companies from Bangladesh had taken stands: Picard Bangladesh Ltd, Landmark Footwear, Jennys Shoes Ltd, Legacy Footwear and Bay Footwear Ltd.

The EPB stated that the country’s leather industry is progressing well, particularly the shoe segment. The pace of progress is set to double when the country’s main tannery cluster is completely re-located from Hazaribagh to Saver near Dhaka.